Uranium mining issue heating up in Virginia

RICHMOND, Va. (AP) -- The issue of uranium mining in Virginia heats up at the General Assembly this week.

Opponents of ending a decades-old moratorium on uranium mining are due to arrive from Southside and other points Monday for a rally at the Capitol. Also Monday, a legislative committee will take up a proposed 3 percent severance on the gross receipts of the mined radioactive ore.

Bills in both chambers would establish regulations for uranium mining, effectively ending the 1982 moratorium. They have yet to appear before their respective committees.

The Pittsylvania Board of Supervisors urged the Legislature last week to keep the ban in place.

The legislation allowing mining would clear the way for Virginia Uranium Inc. to mine a 119-million-pound deposit in that county. The proposal has stirred fierce opposition.